Egg washing machine



May 29, 1951 a. w. JOHNSON EGG WASHING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 FiledDec. 27, 1945 INVENTOR,

fl y i W N3 NQ May 29, 1951 G. w. JOHNSON EGG WASHING MACHINE 6Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 27, 1945 INVEN TOR,

r 1 w w M 2 o 6 v M m/ a.

(W w M K W I y 29, 1951 G. w. JOHNSON EGG WASHING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet3 Filed Dec. 2'7, 1945 w it May 29, 1951 G. w. JOHNSON EGG WASHINGMACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 27, 1945 fiver/ray INVENTO 62/0917(/2291;

y 1951 G. w. JOHNSON 2,555,193

EGG WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 y 1951 G. w.JOHNSON 2,555,193

Q EGG WASHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 27, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented May29, 1951 EGG WA SHIN G MACHINE Gordon W. Johnson, Raytown, Mo., assignorto .Gordon Johnson Company, Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of MissouriApplication December 27, 1945, Serial No. 637,320

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in egg washing machines and hasparticular reference to a machine that will thoroughly clean fragile,various shapes and sizes of eggs with a low percen-ta-ge of breakage.

This is an improvement over my co-pending application for Patent SerialNo. 522,186, filed February 1-0, 1944, and now Patent 2,502,728 patentedApril 4, 1-950.

The principal object of this invention is the provision of a sprayingsystem whereby the eggs are moistened by a sp ay of fresh liquid as theyare being scrubbed, thus insuring a constant change of liquid to theeggs being washed.

Another object is the provision of special means whereby the eggs aremaintained in segregated relation during the entire egg washingoperation.

A further object of this invention is the provision of an endless eggconveyor belt including a series of cross bars carrying spaced apartendless belts for forward movement relative to said cross bars.

Other objects are simplicity and economy .of construction, speed andefiieiency of operation, and adaptability for use in simultaneouslywashing poultry eggs varying in size from the smallest to the largest.

With these objects in View, as well as other objects which will appearduring the courseof sthc specification, reference will be had to thedrawing s, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an .egg washing machine, andassociated equipment, partly broken away and embodying this invens tion.

Ri -.2 is a pl n view of he Washin ma hine and associated equipmentshown in figure 1.

Fi 3 i an end leva ional view of th Wa hin machine, with parts brokenaway.

Fig. 4 is aside elevational view of the washing machine with partsomitted to disclose the working :parts.

Fig. 5 i an enlarged cross sectional view taken 1 11111 V V-o Fi ure 'Wth-l 1&I; br k n awa E e 6111s a lon i l irr ul r e tion taken i 7 s anen ar d d a ammati vi w sh wing the :means for the delivery of thewashed eggs from the washing machine to the associated quipment.

Fig 8 is an enlarged s t ona View taken on line VIII-.V]Z[I.of1Figur e5.

.Fig. .9is an enlarsedi agmentarys ctional view taken on line IXx-IX ofEigure Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view -'X of Figure 8.

"Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view taken on line of Figure 9. i

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic plan view of the delivery means shown inFigure 7.

Throughout the several views like reference characters refer to similarparts and the numeral designates a 'base frame mounted on 'legs 22 andhaving substantially horizontally disposed top rails 24 and bottom rail26. The bottom rails support a transverse platform '28 on which ismounted a suitable motor having a shaft 32 which is directlyinterconnected with a speed reduction means 34 which drives a shaft 36on which is mounted a driving sprocket 38.

Rigidly fixed to frame 2t intermediate rails 24 and 26 and extendingacross the frame is a rearwardly and downwardly inclined drain trough 40'having a drain pipe 42 at its lower extremi-ty. This trough issubstantially V-shaped in cross section whereby the water is collectedadjacent its central portion and directed to the drain pipe 42. Thecross bars lii serve to secure together the two side portions of thebase frame 20. The frame parts are preferably welded together.

A scrubber frame 4-6 having side rails 48 and cross bars '52 is adaptedto rest on a drip plate M which in turn rests on top rail 24 of baseframe 2 9. Mounted transversely of frame 35 at its opposi-te ends is abelt drum 56 and 58 respectively. Drum -56 is provided with a shaft 65which is mounted for rotation adjacent its opposite ends taken on linein bearings 6-2 carried by frame 46. One end of shaft til extends beyondthe side of frame 46 and is provided with a rigidly attached sprocketwheel 64 which isoperatively interconnected with the. driving sprocket38 with a sprocket chain 66, so that as motor 30 is energized said .drum56 will .be driven in .the direction indicated by the arrow. Belt :drum:58 is rigidly mountedon shaft 68 which in turn is rotatably mounted .onbear.- ing :10 aifixed to frame scrubber 45.

Cross bars .52 are positioned intermediate d ums .56 and 5. to se e as aa for a series of spaced a art :tmush 74 wh ch a p s i n d with theirinside bottom surface in substantial register .witha line tangent withthe upperedge of the drums 5 n 8- .E l s ub be ts 16 are operativelypositioned about drums 55 and 58, one belt passing through each of thetroughs as clearly shown in Figure 5. These cru ber be s -are made o asoft plia m ial su h as rubber wh ch W l no cause an 1 jectionableamount of egg breakage, and will readily adapt themselves to the varioussizes and shapes of eggs necessary to facilitate the proper handling ofeggs during the washing operation. Belt T6 has a relatively smooth innerface 78 suitable for engaging the belt drums for driving purposes.

The outer face of the belt is provided with a large number of spacedapart papilla 80 suitable for forming an egg scrubbing surface whichwill adjust themselves to the contour of the various sizes and shapes ofeggs. As clearly shown in Figures 5 and 11 each trough I4 is providedwith overhanging longitudinal ribs 82 which form abutments 84 for theopposite edges of the scrubber belt when it is in operation to conformto the inner contour of its respective trough, thus insuring its properpositioning in the trough.

The means for conveying the eggs to and from the scrubber beltscomprises a frame 86 having inturned ledges 8B suitable for resting ontop of scrubber frame 45 as shown in Figure 5 and provided with anendless conveyor belt 90 mounted thereon for relatively slow orbitalmovement directly above the upper reaches of the scrubber belts i5 andin substantially parallel relation therewith.

Rotatably mounted in bearings 92 carried by one end of frame 06 inparallel relation with shaft 60 is a shaft 84 carrying fixed sprocketwheels 96. At the other end of frame 86 is a shaft 98 rotatably mountedin bearings I carried by said frame. This shaft is parallel with shaft54 and is provided with fixed sprocket wheels I02. Sprocket chains I04interconnect with corresponding sprocket wheels 56 and I02, and serve asa flexible framework for the conveyor belt 90. The outer extremity ofshaft 94 is provided with a relatively large, fixed sprocket wheel I06which is operatively interconnected with a sprocket wheel I08 of speedreduction unit IIO by chain II2. This speed reduction unit is carried byplatform 28 in fixed relation to speed reducing means 34, by which it isdriven through shaft I I4. It will be noted that due to theinterposition of the speed reducing means 34 and H0 in the train ofdriving parts from the common motor 30 to the scrubber belt and conveyorbelt, the speed of the conveyor belt will be much slower than the speedof travel of the scrubber belt, furthermore, the lower reach of theconveyor belt and the upper reach of the scrubber belts, which operateto scrub the eggs, will travel in opposite directions. on the angledtrack member I while the lower reaches of the chain ride between thetrack members I01 and I09 to preclude substantially all verticalmovement of the lower reaches during the scrubbing operation.

Extending in spaced apart relation betweenchains I04 is a continuousseries of cross bars II6 which are securely attached to the chains insubstantially parallel relation to form opposite front and rear walls ofegg compartments II8. Each of the cross bars H6 is provided with likeseries of openings I20. Endless belts I22, preferably made of rubber,are respectively mounted through corresponding openings I20. Theopenings in these cross bars I I6 are so positioned that they form sidewalls for the egg compartments I I8 to prevent objectionable sidecontacting of the eggs.

As shown, the cross bars IIG are preferably made of metal coated withrubber to prevent eggbreakage. Each of the cross bars is provided Theupper reaches of chains I04 ride with a like series of tabs I24 whichtrail the bar and rest on the table made of parallel rods I26 Which arecarried by cross bars I28 of conveyor frame 86, as they move along theupper reach of their orbital travel. When the conveyor travels oversprocket wheels 96 and reverses its direction the tabs I24 will rest ontop of the eggs as the eggs are forced by the conveyor belt to movealong the formed trough-like portion of the scrubber belt, thusprecluding objectionable bouncing of the egg and also facilitating theegg washing operation. These tabs are made of some cushioning material,such as rubber, and serve to receive the egg from above when chargingthe machine, to prevent breakage.

When the endless conveyor belt is in operation the endless belts I22carried thereby will be caused to travel at a higher rate of speed thanbelt 90, thus providing a forward movement of belts I22 in the crossbars II6 which tends to centralize the eggs in their compartments H8 andalso keep the openings clean. This differential of forward speed of theconveyor belt and endless belts I22 is caused by the opening and closingaction of the cross bars as the conveyor belt is moved about thesprocket wheels 96.

For properly guiding the eggs about the sprocket wheels 96 an arcuatetrough member I30 secured to the frame 86 is provided for each row ofeggs. At one stage of its travel, the egg will be in a substantiallyvertical line of travel, and will rest against the enlarged arcuate portions I32 of cross bar II6. Furthermore, when the egg is positioned inthe trough-like portion of the upper reach of the scrubber belt 16, thisarcuate portion I32 of the cross bar will reach into the trough to forcethe egg along its direction of travel, while resting on the scrubberbelt which is simultaneously moving at a greater speed in the oppositedirection. It is quite evident that by simply varying the relativespeeds of the conveyor belt and the scrubber belt any desired scrubbingaction may be obtained to thoroughly clean the eggs. It will be notedthat the conveyor belt at the delivery end overhangs the end of thescrubber belt, thus making it possible to move the washed eggs over thestationary members I34 and onto the conveyor I36 of the inspectiontableI30.

An important feature of the washer is a liquid spraying means I40whereby the eggs being scrubbed are sprayed with water or any otherliquid suitable for facilitating the cleaning operation. This sprayingmeans carried by sprayer 86 comprises a feed pipe I42 provided withbranch pipes I44 each provided with a series of spray nozzles I46 bymeans of which a liquid spray is directed to each row of eggs as theyenter the scrubber zone, during the scrubbing operation and as theyleave the washer and pass to the inspection table.

Feed pipe I42 is provided with a mixing valve I48, which is connectedwith a hot water pipe I50 and a cold water pipe I52 whereby water of anydesired predetermined temperature is delivered to the feed pipe. Thesehot and cold water pipes are preferably of the normal water systemwhereby the water is under a pressure to force the liquid through thenozzles in a spray against the eggs. with a valve controlled spraynozzle I56 communicates with feed pipe I42 and is adapted'for use incleaning eggs passing overthe inspection table. It will be noted thatcertain of th branch pipes extend transversely across the tableintermediate the upper and lower reaches of the con- A branch hose I54provided veyor belt to deliver water to the upper reach of the scrubberbelt. This water, once used, drains to the trough 49 and is drained fromthe machine.

The conveyor I36 of the inspection table I38 is used in conjunction withthe washer to inspect the washed eggs and for delivering them to a drierI58. This inspection table comprises a body member I60 mounted on legsI62 and serves to convey the washed eggs from the washer and tosimultaneously roll them on the conveyor to facilitate partial drying ofthe eggs,

Since it is contemplated to drive the inspection conveyor by means ofthe washer motor 39, a sprocket wheel I 66 is operatively secured toshaft 98 and is interconnected with shaft I68 of the inspection tableI38 by chain I19. An idler sprocket I12 serves to tighten the chain onthe sprockets.

Whenever the conveyor belt 99 is rotated by the motor 39 the inspectiontable conveyor belt will be operated at a speed calculated to take careof the eggs as they are discharged from the washer.

The drier I58 is mounted on legs I15 and has a conveyor belt I16 whichis driven by conveyor belt I36 of the inspection table I38 through asprocket wheel I'IB, chain I80 and sprocket wheel I82, mounted as shownin Figure 1. It is not intended to claim the drier per se but only toshow the continuous driving relation of the associated parts wherebythey are timed to properly care for the travel of the eggs therethrough.

To cover the moving parts and protect the machinery of the washer, ahousing I14 is provided.

In the operation of the egg washer, motor 30 is energized to drive thescrubber belt I6 and conveyor belt 90 in like directions so that thelower reach of the conveyor belt and the upper reach of the scrubberbelt, will move in opposite directions. The speed of the scrubber beltis relatively greater than the speed of the conveyor belt. The operatornew places the eggs E in segregated relation in the compartments II8formed by the endless conveyor belts 90 and the cross bars H6.

The eggs rest on the tabs I24, carried by the cross bars II6, which reston the rods I26. The eggs are carried around shaft 94 as clearly shownin Figure 6 are delivered to the corresponding scrubber belt 16 which iscupped transversely as clearly shown in Figure 5.

The liquid spraying means I40 is turned on so as to spray the eggs withwarm water so that they are moist during the scrubbing operation.

It will be noted that the tabs I24 on the lower reach of the conveyorbelt are so positioned that they rest on top of the eggs which areresting on the upper reach of the scrubber belt. This positioning of theegg feeds it along the scrubber belt in a direction opposed to thedirection of travel of the scrubber belt and at a rate of speedsufficient to permit the proper cleaning of the eggs before they aredelivered to the stationary member I34 thence to the inspection tableconveyor I36, and on to the drier. This operation is continuous and therelative speeds of the parts may be so related and controlled as toobtain the desired cleaning of the various types of dirty eggs.

Referring to Figures 7 and 12 it will be noted that the eggs E aredelivered from the conveyor to the conveyor belt I 36 of the inspectiontable, which is positioned slightly therebelow, and onto a fixed rubberbuffer I86 carried by conveyor frame 86, to absorb the shock of the eggto prevent breakage. This rubber buifer is mounted on a rod I88 and isslit inwardly from its free edge to form a comb-like structure.

What is claimed as new and is desired to be protected by Letters Patentis:

1. In an egg washing machine, a movable, endless conveyor provided witha plurality of eggreceiving compartments; and means defining saidcompartments including a number of spaced, substantially parallelperforated bars mounted on the conveyor for movement therewith anddisposed in transverse relationship to the path of travel of theconveyor, and a number of spaced, endless belts circumscribing theconveyor and passing through the perforations of the bars insubstantially perpendicular relationship thereto.

2. In an egg washing machine, a, movable, endless conveyor provided witha plurality of eggreceiving compartments; and means defining saidcompartment including a number of spaced, substantially parallelperforated bars mounted on the conveyor for movement therewith anddisposed in transverse relationship to the path of travel of theconveyor, and a number of spaced, endless belts circumscribing theconveyor and passing through the perforations of the bars insubstantially perpendicular relationship thereto, said belts beingshiftable in said perforations for movement relative to the bars.

3. In an egg washing machine, a movable, endless, elliptical conveyorprovided With a plurality of egg-receiving compartments; and meansdefining said compartment including a number of spaced, substantiallyparallel, perforated bars mounted on the conveyor for movement therewithand disposed in transverse relationship to the path of travel of theconveyor, and a number of spaced, endless elastic belts circumscribingthe conveyor and passing through the perforations of the bars insubstantially perpendicular relationship thereto, said belts beingshiftable in said perforations for movement relative to the bars.

GORDON W. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,138,356 Conte May 4, 19151,689,653 Wayland Oct. 30, 1928 1,730,157 McDonald Oct. 1, 19291,776,784 Cramer Sept. 30, 1930 2,096,228 Dudgeon Oct. 19, 19372,187,842 Rheinstrom Jan. 23, 1940 2,408,648 Inman Oct. 1, 19462,412,565 Davis Dec. 17, 1946 2,442,475 Swanson June 1, 1948

